The Kroger Co. has established two new divisions to build business in the upper South and lower Midwest. The retailer has named Rick Going president of its new Nashville division and Calvin Kaufman president of the new Louisville division.

The company also has named Jayne Homco president of the Michigan division and Erin Sharp group vp/Kroger manufacturing.

Going was president of the Michigan division while Kaufman was group vp/Kroger manufacturing. Homco was vp/ merchandising for Kroger’s Southwest Division, and Sharp was vp/operations for Kroger manufacturing

“Rick, Calvin, Jayne and Erin bring to their new roles a passion for customers and proven experience leading teams to deliver consistently strong performance,” Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s president and COO said in announcing the appointments. “Their leadership will help us build on our Customer First strategy to enhance customer loyalty, accelerate our growth and deliver shareholder value.”

Establishment of a new Nashville division and a new Louisville division allows Kroger to pursue fresh opportunities, McMullen stated.

“Opportunities for growth in Tennessee, northern Alabama, Kentucky and Southern Illinois and Indiana inspired us to take this path,” he asserted. “We believe this move will enable our associates to do what they do best, meet the needs of our local customers and neighbors, our communities, and each other.”